Lameness and what you can do about it

[admin]

LAMENESS can be due to trauma, inherited genetic conformation, or infection in the joints . The most frequent is trauma. See "Bleeding" in my handbook and emergency first aid kit, section if relevant. Acute phase: Early in any trauma, ice packs to the injured area is essential to slow the bleeding into the tissues, swelling and pain. Apply 20 minutes on, one hour off the area. Also dose with Dr. Dodd's Custom Homeopathic "Tissue Injury30C" hourly as needed.

LAMENESS, Inflammatory Type: (limb is hot, painful with pressure, and generally swollen.) If in foot area, search for puncture wounds, insect bite (round hard swelling with tiny center hole or stinger), bruising (bluish discoloration of skin). If the foot is held off the ground, it may be an injury higher in leg, involving a joint. For wounds see "Wounds", for insect bites see "Insect Bites". If you suspect a fracture, see section on "Car Accident-broken bones" in my emergency handbook..

Take the horse's rectal temperature and see if there is a fever (see "Fever'), rectal temps over 102 degrees F. are considered fever state in horse as well as pets. Make animal comfortable, dose by mouth; Calming Essence and my Custom Homeopathic "Tissue Injury Formula 30C" and "Hepar Sulf 6x" hourly as needed until temperature lowers to normal. Dose with lots of water ( by mouth with the handy 2 0z. plastic squirt bottle that comes with the emergency kit) to prevent dehydration. If high fever persists for more than 24 hours or if unable to reduce high fever within a few hours and horse is weakening-seek professional help.

LAMENESS, Arthritic Type: (little swelling, no tissue heat, and lameness improves with exercise). I have included this in the emergency handbook, because there can be considerable pain to your horse with this condition. Pain control is necessary, but the underlying problem is best treated by a veterinarian. Dose by mouth: Dr. Dodd's Custom Homeopathy "Arthritis 30 C "and "Exostosis 30C" every hour to maintenance dosage of 3-6 x daily as needed.




Gently massage and apply heat (heating pad on low) over painful joint(s). North pole magnets in my Magnetic Equine Wrap products help relieve pain and swelling. We have had marvelous relief with the Healing Halter made for horses. It not only relieves muscle spasm and pain, but balances the energy flows through all the body's organ systems and immune system, thereby strengthening their function.

Many times, It's been my experience, that chronic lameness is due to malalignemt of the spine, which torques the body off center and throws abnormal weight and stress on joints of the legs.A good way to check this is to study the following illustrations that show this malalignment graphically of the spine of the animal from front and rear views:

Front view horse, straight on, and on level ground, shows a difference in right and left shoulder heights and ear to skull juncture levels.



You must check both Front and Rear View of the horse.

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Rear View of horse, straight on and on level ground shows different heights between right and left hip area ( tip of the horse's Tuber Ileum of the pelvic bone), and juncture between ears and skull.

You can give medication till the cows come home and the lameness will only worsen, with joint ligament and cartilage permanently damaged. This situation needs Chiropractic adjustment. Seek professional help. Check the AHVMA directory for local chiropractic holistic vets listed in reference linkage section of my webpage.

For healing of tendon and ligament injuries and lameness, give Dr. Dodd's Custom Homeopathic "Acute Tendon and Ligament Formula 30C" ( if acute pain, and swelling is due to early injuries to tendons and ligaments) hourly to 6x daily, or "Chronic Tendon and Ligament Formula 60C" for chronic conditions (symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks) as maintenance treatment 6 x daily as needed.

The healing halter and north pole magnet leg wraps help speed recovery. I once saved a horse from surgery on his right knee. The Arabian stallion was severely lame and the owner had made the appointment at the Davis, Ca. UC Teaching Veterinary Hospital.

My examinataion of the animal revealed a malalignment of the lower lumbar vertebrae( the horse had been so painful in his low back he had bucked the owner off when he saddled and mounted), and atlas and several neck vertebrae .

I administered "Calming Essence" to relieve fear and anxiety in the horse, adjusted the vertebrae, and left the homeopathic remedies for "Acute Tendon and Ligament 30C' formula for the owner to administer. 48 hours later the owner was riding a sound horse. Surgery was unnecessary and would only have compounded the problem with a permanently lame horse that would generally have been euthanized.

All products mentioned including the handbook, emergency kit, homeopathic remedies Calming Essence and Dr. Dodd's Custom Homeopathic Formulas can be ordered from the electronic store.

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Source: http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/horse_lameness.htm

[Rachel Gillam]

Hello, I would be very interested to find out about sesamoid related lamenesses and what can be given to help.

Rachel

[Mandrake]

By Michael Lowder, DVM, MS

Bucked shins is the most common cause of lameness in young racehorses.

While most lamenesses are due to a hoof problem, there are still a number of conditions that can cause your horse to take an off step.

Splint bone injuries are very common in the lower leg of the horse. "Splints" are bony proliferations in the area of the cannon and splint bones. They usually occur in young horses undergoing strenuous exercise.


Abnormal conformation, working on a hard surface, and poor nutrition has all been indicated as potential causes. Splints may occur as a result of trauma to the splint bone or a sprain or tear of the ligamentous attachment to the cannon bone (3rd metacarpal or metatarsal). These bones are clinically referred to as second and fourth metacarpals/metatarsals.

Acute lameness is a common finding, and closer examination will often reveal heat, pain, and swelling over the area. Horses with uncomplicated splints (i.e. no fractures) will frequently recover with supportive care (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and leg wraps).

Minor fractures that are distal on the bone are of little worry and will usually heal within about six weeks. In contrast, fractures that are high on the splint bone can cause severe lameness and will need surgery to correct.

The term "bucked shins" refers to an inflammation (periostitis & osteitis) of the periosteum and sometimes the front middle aspect of the cannon bone. The disease can affect one leg but most commonly affects both front legs.

Bucked shins does not affect the rear legs, and the degree of lameness varies greatly between horses. The horseman will associate swelling on the front of the cannon bone with the onset of lameness. Most horses have a negative response to palpation of their legs. Occasionally 'bucked shins' will be associated with very small fractures that can only be detected with radiographs.

Treatment varies with each veterinarian, but basically involves administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and rest. The horse should be returned to training as soon as the acute pain stage is over (normally in about 10-14 days). This is due to the fact that the strength of the bone will decrease without exercise.

Bucked shins is the most common cause of lameness in young racehorses. Why this occurs is unclear, but most likely is due to the great amount of stress put upon the cannon bone by the excessive forces of racing.

Osselets are defined as a traumatic arthritis (degenerative joint disease) of the fetlock joint. There is an associated swelling and joint effusion initially, and bony changes can occur in chronic conditions. In addition, there may be some articular damage of the joint.

Again, the horse is presented with lameness that varies between individuals. Often a flexion test of the fetlock joint will worsen the degree of lameness. Radiographs are indicated to determine the degree of joint involvement prior to progressing with a treatment plan.

Treatment usually involves putting the horse on systemic (oral) joint compounds, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and intraarticular drugs such as hyaluronic acid (HA), and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG).

In non-responsive cases, corticosteroids are injected into the joint. It should be noted that corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs and should be used with caution. Once you start injecting a joint with steroids, there is no turning back.

Sesamoiditis, or inflammation of the proximal sesamoid bones, is a common problem in racehorses, hunters and jumpers. It is also becoming more of a problem in some of our barrel horses. Lameness is associated with the sesamoid bones (there are two on the backside of the fetlock joint) and the associated ligaments in this area (suspensory and distal sesamoid ligaments).

Injury is seen when there is a severe strain to the fetlock. This is very common among the above-mentioned horses when they are competing fatigued. Lameness can start off mild and will progress if the problem is not addressed. Flexion of the fetlock will illicit pain in the affected horse.

Diagnosis is made via physical examination and radiology. Treatment involves administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, application of cold and hot packs, hydrotherapy, complete rest from any type of exercise, and a slow convalescent period.

Lastly, tendonitis and tendosynovitis are all too common in some of our performance horses. Injury to any of the lower limb tendons can result in mild to severe lamenesses, and your veterinarian can utilize diagnostic ultrasound to determine the extent of damage. The horse is usually managed like that stated for sesamoiditis, but treatment may vary and is dependent upon the degree of injury.

These horses usually require a support wrap of the affected and non-affected leg. Wrapping of the non-affected leg support the muscles and tendons of that leg to prevent fatigue and secondary complication, e.g., laminitis. Wrapping the affected leg helps to prevent inflammation and swelling.

A slow convalescent period is essential for these horses to regain their health. Remember that just because your horse is moving fine in the pasture does not mean that he's ready for riding.

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Source: http://www.horsecity.com/stories/022403/hea_lameness_ML.shtml